(Newser)
–
Two more of those cute oil-drilling phrases to keep track of: "long string" and "liner tieback." Both refer to well designs, with "long string" the cheaper of the two because it's relatively easy to execute. "Liner tieback" is more complex, and thus more expensive, but it's especially suited for risky, high-pressure wells because it's safer. Guess which one BP used 5,000 feet below the Gulf of Mexico?

If you guessed "long string," congratulations. And what's more, a Wall Street Journal analysis shows that BP uses the design a lot, as in 1 in every 3 deepwater wells, far more than any other oil company. Says a Shell exec: "When it is a high-pressure, deepwater well, we only have one way of doing that way, and that is with a liner tieback. Period." But BP insists "long string" is safe at such sites, and as Tony Hayward told Congress this week: "It was approved by the MMS." Which should make everyone feel safer.

By some accounts it isn't exactly Hayward's fault. It's the fault of the guy before him at the helm of BP, Lord Browne. Certainly clowns like this have no business doing deep water drilling, though. At the very least, the feds should take the leases away and give them to someone else with a better track record of safety.

finkster

Jun 19, 2010 5:57 PM CDT

Here's a thought... take a long string and hang Mr. Tony Hayward up by his balls.

Spudsy

Jun 19, 2010 5:12 PM CDT

"But BP insists "long string" is safe at such sites" ---- And there are millions of dead seabirds that would tell them it is not safe.